The goal was to deliver a communications satellite, called SES 10, into orbit. Not only did the used rocket deliver on that promise, the rocket was also again guided to a safe landing back on Earth. And, for the first time, at least part of the spacecraft's fairing -- the portion that houses the satellite during the trip -- was safely recovered. That part of the rocket costs about $6 million, according to SpaceX.

That fairing also managed to snap some photographs as it was hurled through space, before it made a splash landing in the ocean, where it was recovered by SpaceX. Those photos show a dazzling view of the Earth and sun.